Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi

The Indo-Portuguese figure of Christ is carved from a solid piece of ivory except his arms which were carved separately with polychrome in his hair, beard, knot and wounds. He is mounted on a Perspex panel. The Crucified Christ with carved hair and elongated head. The body is svelte and elegant. He is depicted with a short knot that is tied to his right. This superb-quality carving would have been produced in one of the best ivory workshops in Goa during the 17th century. The main purpose of the Crucified Christ during this period was to create emotions in spectators. In this particular case, the image of a suffering Christ reinforced the faith of the believers through his dramatic expression and the use of red painting simulating his blood.